Search on Cardiff Mummy Says

31 things to do in and around Cardiff in half term May 2015

Where has this year gone?! It’s almost the school holidays once again and if you are wondering how to entertain your little ones over the bank holiday weekend and the coming week, then look no further. Here’s 31 things to do in and around Cardiff in half term May 2015. Let me know if I have missed anything and I’ll do my best to add it in. Enjoy!

Theatre, music and performance

A great introduction to opera for anyone over the age of eight, this isn’t the sanitised, saccharine Peter Pan we know so well. Instead, the danger, delightful anarchy and vibrancy of JM Barrie’s original story is brought to the stage in a fast-paced and thrilling production. Before the shows, there will be free Peter Pan-themed family activities in the Centre.

*The Wizard of Oz, New Theatre, Cardiff

Wednesday 27th– Sunday 31st May

Wednesday – Saturday 2.00pm & 7.00pm,Sunday 2.00pm

Cardiff’s Orbit Theatre present the classic tale of Dorothy and her dog Toto as they travel the yellow brick road on the way to the Emerald City. Includes all the classic songs made famous by the film, such as Over The Rainbow, Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead and We’re Off To See The Wizard.

Talented youngsters from the of Vale of Glamorgan’s Billboard Ensemble bring to life the beautiful story full of love, with a host of fantastic musical numbers and the much-loved characters from the Disney movie. Adults £9, child/OAP £7, family £30 (2+2)

The Mavron Quartet’s free family concerts are a regular fixture during school holidays, with families and children of all ages invited to explore a wide range of music and activities and experiment with musical ideas.

CINEMA

*Cinderella (U), Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff

Saturday 23rd-Sunday 24th May, 11am and 3pm

This is Disney’s real action version of the tale of Ella, who finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and stepsister when her father unexpectedly dies. An invitation to the palace ball gives her hope she may reunited with a dashing stranger she met in the woods, with the help of a fairy godmother played by Helena Bonham Carter.

If you’ve got pre-schoolers, it can be frustrating in the school holidays when all the classes stop running and all the parks and softplays are full of big kids. Beth from Music With Mummy North Cardiff and Caldicot will be running playgroup-style stay-and-play session for the under five this week, featuring a music session. It costs £3.20 per family and places must be pre-booked.

*Discotots Pirates and Princesses Parties

Thursday 28th May, 10am Whitchurch, 2pm Penarth

A chance to get dressed up and disco dancing with percussion instruments and games.

Suitable for ages walking to four. Must be pre-booked. Tickets costs £7 (walking siblings are £2 extra, adults and babes in arms free)

Creative

*FREE All Hands On Deck, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Tuesday 26th-Saturday 30th May, 11am-4pm

Ahoy, me hearties! Following the success of Home Sweet Home, where visitors helped to create a cardboard city, comes the chance to build a giant cardboard pirate ship in the Centre’s Glanfa foyer. The ship will grow over the week, until it is ready to sail the seven seas. The event is free, you can just turn up on the day (although best to arrive early as spaces may be limited).

*FREE Design Your Science Gallery, National Museum Cardiff

Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st May 2015, 11am-4pm (the museum is closed on Mondays)

A chance for families to get creative in this free, drop-in session. Children can show the museum what they’d like to see in a new Natural Sciences Gallery.

This unique workshop, run by ceramics and illustration students from Cardiff School of Art and Design, will encourage exploration of the history of objects at the St Fagans and give them the chance to create their very own ‘St Fagans artefact’ using clay dug from the museum site.

Workshops are free but must be booked at the cockpit on arrival. Suitable for 5+, and last for about an hour.

If you haven’t yet been to the Cardiff Story yet, then do – it’s such an interesting, interactive and free place to visit, suitable for all ages. This Wednesday sees a family craft day, where little ones can get creative for just £1.

History and natural history

*FREE Natural History Open Day, National Museum Cardiff

Saturday 23 May, 10am-4pm

The museum is inviting families to celebrate International Day of Biodiversity with its scientists. You can explore dozens of natural history objects or join a behind-the-scenes tour to discover even more – and all for free.

Science

*Fire and Ice, Techniquest, Cardiff Bay

Saturday 23rd-Sunday 31st May

Fire and Ice is the theme at Techniquest this half term, with a spectacular show that discovers what happens when things when get hot and cold. You’ll discover whether ice burns and how to turn a banana into a hammer with liquid nitrogen. You can also explore space in Wales’s only digital planetarium, not to mention getting hands-on with the 120 exhibits that make science fun. The Fire and Ice show is in addition to regular ticket prices.

Welsh language

*Miri Meithrin, Canton Community Hall

Thursday 28th May, 9.30am-11.30am

Arts and crafts, a bouncy castle, and a performance from Heini plus more are on offer at this Welsh language play session. Non-Welsh speaking parents are welcome. £3.50 a child/baby.

More than 45,000 children will take part in the Urdd Eisteddfod, making it one of the biggest youth festivals in Europe. As well as competitions in dancing, music, poetry recitation and singing, there will be activities, stalls, an open air theatre and a funfair.

Outdoor events

The miniature railway is a great family day out, for all ages. You can rides on miniature steam, diesel and electric trains, plus a tram. Entry is £1.50 per person and each ride is £1.50 per person. Under 3s are free.

There’s plenty to keep children entertained at Cowbridge’s famous Food and Drink festival this bank holiday. From light-hearted competitions such as best animal made out of a vegetable and spaghetti sculpture, to best garden in a shoebox and ugliest vegetable, each category is divided into Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, with prizes on offer for the top three in each category. Tickets cost £5 per day or £8 for the weekend, with under 12s admitted for free.

This family-friendly day out combines fun dog shows with a fairground, donkey rides, a chance to meet a host of popular children’s characters, falconry displays, a laser gun combat zone and a chance to meet exotic animals, plus much more. Entry costs from £10 per car, with full pricing structure on the website.

A chance to meet SpiderMan, Iron Man, the Hulk, and Anna, Elsa and Olaf from Frozen. Also features the Margam Kite Festival, plus Wonder Woman Hula Hoop Show, a vintage circus, Tangent Man, and Welsh superhero, Pontycanna Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Archive. Come dressed as your favourite super hero.

With a reading of Brambley Hedge – The Spring Story by Jill Barklem, participants will then head out into the park to look for spring flowers and enjoy outdoor activities, followed by a mini fruit and cake picnic and arts and crafts activities. For ages 3+. Booking is essential on 029 2087 2730 or butepark@cardiff.gov.uk

Cardiff Castle will be taken over by dragons with dragon-themed storytelling and dragons on the loose. No need to book in advance. The sessions are free but normal admission applies, or a valid Castle Key.

A chance to meet beautiful birds up close, including macaws, cockatoos, African greys and a kookaburra. Limited availability, tickets are £3 per person in addition to normal admission or a valid Castle Key. You can book via 029 2087 8100 or in person at the ticket office.